I have not seen any braided bread in my side of the world lately and I felt the need to try it out to to test my unhidden skills in the baking arena. Julia Child refers Challah as a Eastern European brioche (with a texture slightly lighter).
I borrowed a baking recipe book from the library (saves me $30) and I will be cradling it in my arms for the next 20 days - - I never visited the cooking section and Barnes and Nobles will surely miss me now that I discovered the library...
INGREDIENTS:
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1/3 cup sugar
1 stick butter
1 cup milk
1 tbsp honey
1 1/2 tsp salt
4 eggs
6 1/2 all purpose flour
I don't have a bread machine so I used the traditional method of punching the dough (good thing G3 helped). Actually I loved it as it feels that I was transformed to where I was in Montpellier France as I watched the baker cursing and yelling in his high pitched tone as he prepared the dough at the back side of his boulangerie. Of course, he doesn't speak English so as I fumbled with my french words pointing to a baguette - - he will curse even more and it took us more than 10 minutes for one transaction. Love the aroma of fresh bread baking....
HERE'S HOW:
- Whisk the yeast into the water. Add a pinch of sugar and let rest until the yeast has dissolved and creamy
- Microwave the milk and butter for one minute until fully melted. Place mixture in a bowl and add the remaining sugar, salt and honey. Stir to dissolve.
- Add the creamy yeast to the milk mixture. Then add eggs and stir with wooden spoon to mix
- Add the flour 1/2 cup at a time
- Place the dough in the work surface and knead with your hands until dough is elastic (8-10 minutes)
- Transfer to an oiled bowl . Cover and and let it rest for 1 hour until the size doubled
- After an hour, deflate the dough and punch for 2 minutes and let it rest again for another 45 minutes.
- When fully rested, divide the dough into 6 equal parts
- Roll each piece into a rope
- Align 3 ropes vertically and start braiding from the center down. Repeat process for the other 3 remaining dough
- Transfer in baking sheet and create an egg topping( by combining 1 egg with 1 tbsp water or cream).
- Brush egg topping on each dough . Place sesame seeds and coarse salt
- Bake at 375 degrees for 15 -20 minutes or until golden brown
